1921 Saint-Gaudens $20 coin auctions for $117,500 at Heritage

The 1921 Saint-Gaudens $20 was the highlight of the four-day coin sale in Orlando

A fine example of the rare 1921 Saint-Gaudens $20 coin has provided the highlight of Heritage Auctions' July 11-14 US Coins Signature Auction in Orlando.

The Saint-Gaudens $20 currently holds the world record for any US coin sold at auction

1921 is a significant date for the coin and examples are seldom seen in finer condition, warranting a final sale price of $117,500.

Saint-Gaudens $20 are some of the most valuable of all $20 coins, with the design considered one of the most beautiful in US numismatics. Designed by sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, they were released between 1908 and 1933.

No examples of the 1921 coin were struck until November of that year, when a small mintage of 90,000 pieces was produced.

Despite a further 438,500 coins being struck in December, none of the coins were released to the public, and those produced were intended for use as currency reserves.

As such, the great majority of this mintage remained in the treasury vaults and Federal Reserve banks until 1933, when the gold recall saw all existing pieces melted, to be stored as ingots in the Fort Knox Bullion Repository.

However, well-connected collectors obtained just a few of the coins. Today, no more than 50-60 examples from 1921 are extant in mint state grades. This example is an attractive MS61, making it among the finest of its kind.

Another example of the 1921 Saint-Gaudens $20, graded MS62, sold for $126,500 at Heritage in 2011.

According to Heritage, 1896-1898 was a golden age for classic proof US coinage

The finest example of the 1898 quarter eagle registered at PCGS brought the second highest bids of the auction, selling for $82,250.

Graded PR68 Deep Cameo, Heritage said of the piece: "while no coin is immune to criticism, only the pettiest and most pessimistic of collectors could find fault with this tiny beauty."

We have a magnificent selection of rare coins for sale in our online store.